Superior Court judge won't lower bail in assault case

TRENTON — A judge yesterday refused to lower bail of $150,000 for a man accused of sexually assaulting an ex-girlfriend who had recently lifted a restraining order against him.

Derrick Hopson, 35, is charged with aggravated sexual assault for allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend in her home Aug. 1.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Michael Borgos, the woman had taken out a restraining order on Hopson in March but recently lifted it when Hopson approached her for a place to spend the night. He had been without a place to stay for some time, Borgos said.

The victim had taken prescription medicine that makes her drowsy and gone to bed, Borgos said. She awoke to find Hopson sexually assaulting her, Borgos said. She fought him and he eventually ran away from her home, Borgos said.

Superior Court Judge Thomas Brown refused to lower bail, noting Hopson’s criminal history, which includes a prison stretch for robbery and a restraining order taken out by another woman.